Healthy Homemade Protein Bar Recipe + Discount & Giveaway

If your household is anything like ours, snacks are a must. My husband gets up at about 2 every morning so he’s on the hunt for a quick snack to grab on his way out the door. (Early rising for farmers!) I used to try having him wait until after he was done with morning milking but he’s got over 6 hours into the workday by that time and it’s hard to work on an empty stomach. So instead, he tries to find something smaller to snack on that will hold him over. Not only does he like to snack, we also have five children who do too. So today, I’m teaming up with Cacao Bliss to share a delicious homemade protein bar recipe as I feel like it’s a great alternative to less healthy snack options we used to grab.

What Is A Homemade Protein Bar?

This particular homemade protein bar recipe is a cross between a brownie and a granola bar. It’s soft and chewy, and so very delicious. While the Cacao Bliss cacao powder helps it pack the sweetness that chocolate lovers enjoy, this recipe also features protein powder and peanut butter which helps it to be filling too.

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups old fashioned rolled oats
• 1 1/2 scoops protein powder (vanilla or chocolate is fine)
• 1/2 cup Cacao Bliss cocao powder
• 3/4 cup + 2 tablespoons peanut butter
• 1/4 cup + 1 tablespoon maple syrup
• 1/4 teaspoon sea salt or your favorite kosher salt
• 1/2 cup milk, separated
• 1/4-1/2 cup mix-ins (optional)
• 4 ounces melting chocolate for drizzle

Mix-ins are optional but always fun. Choose from your family’s favorites or experiment with something new. Popular options include mini chocolate chips, craisins, raisins, dried fruit, or peanuts.

Instructions

Begin by lining an 8″x8″ pan with parchment paper. Then set aside. (While you can choose to just spray the pan with a non-stick cooking spray, the parchment gives you more freedom. Later on, once your bars are done, the parchment allows you to lift the entire contents out easily. Then you can just place on a cutting board for slicing into desired bar sizes as opposed to cutting in the pan and then trying to remove each bar individually.)

For this delicious peanut butter homemade protein bar recipe, you’ll need to place the oats in a food processor and grind into a flour consistency.

Next, add the protein powder, Cacao Bliss cocao powder, peanut butter, maple syrup, salt, and 1/4 cup milk to the oat flour. Process until the mixture is well combined and tacky (but NOT sticky to the touch). Slowly add additional milk, 1 teaspoon at a time until the correct consistency is reached. Gently hand stir in add-ins.

Transfer your protein bar mixture to the prepared pan. Press firmly with a rubber scraper or your hands, making one even, smooth layer in your pan. (Work to make the top as smooth as possible.) Top with additional add-ins, if desired. Cover your bar mixture with a sheet of parchment paper and chill till set. ***About 1 hour in the refrigerator or 20 minutes in the freezer.

Remove the bars from the refrigerator or freezer. Gently grasp the bottom layer of parchment and lift your bars out of the pan. Place on a cutting board and use a sharp knife to cut into desired bar sizes. An 8×8 pan generally makes 10-12 bars.

Melt your chocolate and drizzle over each bar. Let sit at room temperature until the chocolate has set. Wrap each individual bar in parchment paper and store in a sealed container in the refrigerator.

Cacao Bliss – CHOCOLATE THAT’S ACTUALLY HEALTHY

Americans eat chocolate every day, and LOTS OF IT! But have you stopped to think….. Do you even know what’s really in the chocolate you are eating? Chances are it’s loaded with nasty artificial ingredients. Instead, Cacao Bliss is here to give health focused chocolate eaters a healthy alternative! Now you can enjoy the incredible health benefits of chocolate without worrying about the side effects of added sugars and artificial ingredients.

Make Endless Healthy Treats Using Cacao Bliss

Mix Up Some Cacao Bliss for a quick drink to satisfy your chocolate fix or substitute it into your favorite recipes for a healthier alternative – cookies, pancakes, brownies, you name it! You can also find hundreds of healthy recipes on the Cacao Bliss website, free of charge.

10 POWERFUL SUPERFOODS IN 1

Check out what you can expect from your Cacao Bliss package! These wholesome ingredients can have a powerful effect.

Raw Cacao – supports your body’s natural ability to maintain healthy blood sugar levels already in normal range, keep you satiated and promote optimal carbohydrate metabolism.*

Turmeric – fights temporary inflammation related to physical exercise, improves digestion, dissolves stubborn fat and soothes occasional anxiety and stress.*

Black Pepper – to maximize your results by increasing the “bioavailability” of the Turmeric by up to 2,000%.*

MCT Powder – to help you feel satiated longer, making it easier for your body to release stubborn fat deposits.*

Cinnamon – improves your body’s ability to digest glucose, and reduce your desire for sugary treats.*

Monk Fruit – helps satisfy your sweet tooth as well as sugar, with zero calories and no ill effect on your blood sugar.*

Coconut Nectar – acts as a prebiotic and feeds the healthy gut bacteria in your lower intestine.*

Lucuma – adds a hint of caramel-like flavor and has body-repairing properties.*

Mesquite – a sweet and nutty superfood that doesn’t cause blood sugar spikes, and helps boost your immune system.*

Himalayan Salt – contains over 84 minerals and trace elements, while helping to balance your pH levels.*

Print This Healthy Homemade Protein Bar Recipe

As mentioned above, these bars make for great snacks at home and on the go. They work well in holding off hunger when you’re heading out to a kid’s sporting event or to just give your family a boost of energy. Packaged protein bars can get really expensive and may be full of additives. This homemade protein bar recipe allows you to control exactly what’s inside so you can be sure you’re serving up a delicious, healthy option. The best part is that you can customize flavors by switching up your protein powder and add-ins.

Tell me, what’s your favorite flavor protein bar?

Connect With Earth Echo Foods / Cacao Bliss

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Discount Code

Be sure to use the discount code “THRIFTY” to receive 15% off your Cacao Bliss order.

Enter To Win This Cacao Bliss Giveaway!

One lucky Thrifty Nifty Mommy reader will receive a specialized Cacao Bliss box, valued at over $100! This giveaway is open to the US only, just enter the widget below for your chance to win. Good luck!